[Kingston, 25 February 2019] – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jamaica is funding Climate Proofing Training for government policy analysts in order to strengthen the integration of Climate Change risks, opportunities and challenges into national policies and plans.

UNDP Resident Representative a.i., Dr Elsie Laurence-Chounoune in remarks delivered at the workshop on 21 February, said the training was critical due to the significant threats posed by Climate Change to the Caribbean region with far reaching impacts on the environment, society, economy and culture. "We cannot overstate the importance of integrating climate change adaptation and mitigation consideration in policies, to minimize these potential threats." she concluded.

She said that integrated and inclusive policy proofing allows for crosscutting issues, such as Climate Change and Gender to be meaningfully addressed across sectors, ensuring no one is left behind in development efforts.

Dr Laurence-Chounoune noted that the training directly contributes to the attainment of Vision 2030, Jamaica’s National Development Plan and to the Sustainable Development Goal number 13 on Climate Action which addresses the need to integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

She called on the participants to look beyond their respective sectors and specializations to see the broad impact of climate proofing work on national development. “Our policies, in essence, will be integral in addressing Climate Change risks, and ultimately, the attainment of the multi-faceted elements of development, incorporating a focus on people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership,” she stated.

Jamaica's Cabinet Secretary, Ambassador Douglas Saunders said the training is part of ongoing efforts to implement the national Climate Change Policy Framework and Action Plan, according to a Jamaica Information Service report. The policy seeks to provide a strategic and integrated approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities created by climate change while honouring the country’s commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and related instruments.

Among the objectives of the Climate Proofing workshop are: To understanding of climate change impacts on Jamaica, and the need for mainstreaming climate change into national policies and action plans; to build national capacity in the identification and application of appropriate tools and methodologies for integrating climate change adaptation into the development of policies and action plans; and initiate the process for the development and/or adaptation of a handbook or toolbox to guide policy analysts in the methodologies for climate-proofing of policies for Jamaica.